Neighbours in life, linked after death
Henry MouldsA brief overview of the Jarrahmond Avenue of Honour is provided on one of the information panels adjacent to the Memorial tablets, at the start of the Avenue.
“During the early years of the war the Jarrahmond Red Cross was formed. After the war the close-knit group continued on as the Jarrahmond Social Club. In 1947 they gained approval from Orbost Shire Council to plant an avenue of trees in memory of Jarrahmond School’s former students who served in both wars. A flood in the late 1940s ruined the first attempt. In 1955 the current site was chosen to link the properties ‘Fairleigh’ and Greendale’ which were home to Bill and Mac. *
They used English oaks interplanted with flowering peaches and cherries. In 2014-2016 Jarrahmond Landcare Group replaced the flowering trees which had died and maintains the Avenue in partnership with local families and Orbost RSL Sub-branch.
The Avenue of Honour is heritage listed.”
* “Bill and Mac” were:
Flight Sergeant William Archibald Lynn, of 57 Operational Training RAF, accidentally killed in the United Kingdom on the 17th March 1944.
Trooper John McKenzie Russell, of the 13th Australian Armoured Regiment, who accidentally drowned in Australia on the 16th of November 1942.
Source:
The information panel acknowledges the Jarrahmond Landcare Group, Orbost RSL Sub-branch, Orbost and District Historical Society, Victorian War Heritage Inventory and East Gippsland Shire Council Heritage Grant 2018
AWM Roll of Honour Database
